Boots?

[gratefulknits]

So I was at the feed store trying to decide how to spend a gift certificate (gee, tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!) when I noticed the rack of "boots". There are splint boots, shipping boots, wraps, unnamed "boots" and all kinda foot-and-lower-leg-wear that I never really thought of. Is there anyone out there (or in here!) who can describe all the boots and why you might want/need one vs. another? I don't own any, and can't imagine I'd need any at this point, but I'm always looking to learn. And then what's with those quilted wraps? Are they just for bandaging injuries?

Are there any "boots" that a person ought to own as a precaution? I did get a good deal on a "soaker boot" that was on sale, just in case we are revisited by "the year of the abscess that ate Chicago".

[afinenettle]

gratefulknits said:

So I was at the feed store trying to decide how to spend a gift certificate (gee, tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!) when I noticed the rack of "boots". There are splint boots, shipping boots, wraps, unnamed "boots" and all kinda foot-and-lower-leg-wear that I never really thought of. Is there anyone out there (or in here!) who can describe all the boots and why you might want/need one vs. another? I don't own any, and can't imagine I'd need any at this point, but I'm always looking to learn. And then what's with those quilted wraps? Are they just for bandaging injuries?

OMG I need boots.

Are there any "boots" that a person ought to own as a precaution? I did get a good deal on a "soaker boot" that was on sale, just in case we are revisited by "the year of the abscess that ate Chicago".

[mkgbuegel]

Heres a link to the boots I use to ride in, they give the leg some extra support and great protection. You'll need some good boots for your new giant horse, Homer.

www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT721486%20L%20BLK

And I thought I should include a picture of your new horse too, took this yesterday.


and a quick video of him.

[cutiepiepmu]

I love boots depending on the horse and the need! for all my cow horses, I work them in a front support boot like a Classic Equine boot with a built in bell boot to cover the hoof - keeps dirt out better so that they don't rub. Professionals choice also makes a version of this boot that I like very much - these types of all over boots protect the leg from dings and give support to the tendons - great for hard stops, turns or general purpose working.

Bell boots - WONDERFUL little things- they keep the horse from clipping off his front shoes with his hind feet when over reaching.

I also use skid boots on the rear ankles - for horses that do hard stops or turns, this protects that backs of the fetlocks from geting burnned.

Shipping boots and standing wraps are GREAT for trailering - they protect the legs and keep the tendons tight during the trip!

Split boots- well, those are pretty self explanitory They keep the horse from getting splits by taking a knock to the front of the leg.

In general - for general purpose working boot that works for all disciplines - I say go with The professional choice boots without bell boots or with, Performers Choice(GREAT boot - lower price!) or the Classic Equine Boots. All have pro's and cons so figure out what you need them for

Love my boot collection!!!

Sara in WA

[crum]

I've put my comments in the order of priority I would give the boots. Of course it all depends on what you are doing with your horse and if they have the tendency to hit a certain portion of their leg.

The soaker boots like you picked up can be great and make your life so much easier.

Standing wraps are the one thing I would be sure to have on hand. There are so many injuries that you can use these and should use these for for that it just really makes sense to have them on hand. I had apparently misplaced some of mine when moving out of a boarding facility and having to locate decent quality and sizes at the local tack stores after an injury in a timely manner was almost impossible. They all said they could order what I wanted but it would take a few days. Of course you need to make sure you purchase some of the pillow wraps or an equivalent to go under them. The average length of your horse's cannons will determine the lengths you want for the standing wraps. For some reason the local tack shops around me seem to only carry the shorter wraps in stock.

Bell boots are another item I try to make sure I have on hand. They can really protect the horse's heels when jumping or if you have a horse who tends to overreach. I personally prefer the bell boots that have velcro. I find them easier to get on a fidgety horse than the solid rubber ones. Just so you know why I put the bell boots so high I've discovered through personal experience that heel injuries can be a major pain to deal with if they are on top of the heel as they don't want to drain properly and if not covered all sort of stuff wants to settle there.

Polo wraps are good for some minor protection from blows to the legs. For instance when doing lateral work on the flat its common for polo wraps to be used. Of course when playing polo these are commonly used to protect from minor blows also ;D

Beyond this you start needing to ask yourself where does my horse tend to incorrectly put those feet, what discipline you are going to be performing, what sort of manuevers are going to be performed and what sort of injuries is this going to predispose him towards and whether you plan to compete. Of course I should also put out the disclaimer that I am a bit of a believer in the minimalistic approach to boots and wraps. To many people put them on incorrectly or don't keep them cleaned and end up causing more problems than they would have had without the boots.


modified to add I forgot to mention shipping boots or using the standing wraps for shipping. Basically I don't wrap/boot my horses if they are being hauled by themselves unless I know they are a scrabbler. If I am hauling horses in single stalls side by side I will wrap or boot as I've had several horses who stand with their hind legs spread wider than their stall which encroaches on their neighbor's leg space. The shipping boots and standing wraps are good for this but you want to try to make sure you get pairs of these that breathe well for summer use so the horse is not sweating just because they are wearing the boots. Also you want to make sure that they cover the lower leg including the top of the hoof structure as this is the place where I have seen the most trailer injuries from horse's stepping on themselves or each other. I have also purchased the full height shipping boots that don't breath well to use on arthritic horses during the winter to hold some of the heat in next to their legs.

[watermarkfarm]

I evented for many years and also groomed for a number of upper-level event riders. I love to wrap and bandage, but I find that these days, as a lower-level housewife pleasure rider and DQ wanna-be, I don't wrap nearly as much.....

I teach about boots and wrapping to pony clubbers and will tell you what I tell them: don't use them unless you know how to put them on correctly....

If you are mostly trail and pleasure riding, you don't often need boots.

For working a horse, I like Professional's Choice boots except they get very hot. I do use other types of boots. I like to use boots, front and rear, and also bell boots, if I am roundpenning a horse or jumping or riding on really rough trails. Otherwise, I don't use them often.

Bell boots are to protect the heel bulb from overreaches.

The quilts are to go under stable wraps and are used for "standing bandages" (supportive wrap discourages edema in the leg after a tough workout, esp. if at a show and your horse is confined, etc.) You also use these for various injuries, and when poulticing or "sweating" the leg. The quilt evens out the pressure of the over-wrap.

Stable/standing wraps are also used for trailering.....but then are called "shipping bandages", except placed slightly lower on the leg so as to cover the heel bulb/coronet band.

Shipping boots are for trailering. I used to use them religiously, but now I don't use them all the time. They need to cover the coronet band. I have a pair of Lende boots, which are super tall and cover the hocks and knees. You have to make sure your horse is used to them. Reggie actually hauls BETTER in boots because he's an old show horse! I leave them off the pawing mule because they always fall down....dangerous!

If I were to advise you on something to buy first, I would tell you to buy TWO quilts and the white flannel wraps that go over them. You never know when your horse will injure his leg, and you will want to put on a support or medication wrap (but of course you need to know how...)

I would be happy to teach you how to wrap!

Remember that Saddles to Boots is a GREAT place to buy this stuff ---- they have tons of wraps and boots there.

Overall.....buying horse equipment is kind of like buying BABY stuff.....you can get sucked in to buying a lot of stuff you'll never use. Main thing is to buy a FEW, simple quality items.

[gratefulknits]

Thanks mkg, cutiepie, crum and watermark! I appreciate the answers. Sounds like I'll start with the "just in case of injury" wraps (I already have a gazillion rolls of gauze and kerlix) and when I'm ready to start trailering I'll get some shipping boots ~ BUT train everyone on how to wear them! I'm going to print out your answers and make myself a little primer on boots, so I'll know what else to get for the various issues that might come up.

Thanks again, I KNEW the answers were here!

[cutiepiepmu]

I do second the Lende boots - I also have a set of weatherbeetas that don't go up as high and work well for my QH who is a short guy. They are WELL worth the cost for hauling in a trailer!
Sara in wA